Are Attwater Prairie Chickens accessible for the general public? (2 Viewers)

[Tiraya]

As the title says, in my experience prairie-chickens end up being "out of reach", but I can't see anything specifically discussing this site. Hoping to be in the area end of February.

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

Do you mean Attwater Prairie Chickens? I remember going on a tour there in April a few years ago. Not sure if they do exactly the same thing these days, but there still seem to be tours of the area run:

Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge

Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge was established to protect the critically endangered Attwater’s Prairie-Chicken, a ground-dwelling grouse of the coastal prairie ecosystem. Located approximately 60 miles west of Houston, Texas, this refuge is home to one of the largest remnants...

www.fws.gov

 

[Tiraya]

Yeah, definitely Attwater and not Attwell or Attwaller...the two other ways I have managed to spell this name in the past few days...!

I was told that the tours haven't run since covid, but maybe that was not accurate?

 

[justabirdwatcher]

Best chance is on one of the scheduled monthly tours. They have started back. Call the refuge and ask if they have space. Generally 1st Saturday of the month at 8:00 a.m. If not the monthly tour, then you have to take your chances on the auto tour that is open to the public. Best chance there is to listen for them at sunrise during the month of March from the northermost portion of the auto tour. Every now and then, a self-guided visitor will get to see one. There aren't many on the refuge which makes viewing them such a challenge.